There’s no denying it, Christmas is on its way and soon it will be time to start preparing whilst making a start on Christmas shopping.

This year, Winchester BID has decided to deviate from the usual printed gift guide. This Christmas we will be providing the people of Winchester with a real look inside Winchester’s independent shops and businesses by showing you what Christmas gifts and products are on offer.

We have teamed up with a Winchester local and Independent’s ambassador, Suzy Shires of @Windependents, to give you #MerryBIDmas!

#MerryBIDmas is a snapshot video series giving you a sneak peek at Winchester’s best Christmas shopping haunts in town. Together, Suzy and Amy (from Winchester BID) will be visiting, reviewing and sharing the top Christmas present ideas that Winchester has to offer throughout this festive season. With the legwork done, you can relax, get some festive shopping inspiration from the comfort of your sofa and plan your Christmas wish list whilst watching us hit the shops.

Suzy, creator of Windependents explains why she’s delighted to team up with Winchester BID to deliver #Merry BIDmas: “I am a passionate Winchester lover currently studying social media management with a view to freelancing in the not too distant future. Windependents is my social media campaign (on Facebook, twitter and Instagram) that’s allowing me to learn through experience and champions Winchester through my eyes. It aims to celebrate local bars/restaurants/shops/events/news and more whilst spotlighting local independent businesses. Running a campaign about a passion makes it more genuine so I’m delighted to be helping Winchester BID with #MerryBIDmas. It combines my love for shopping, social media, Winchester and local independent businesses, plus who doesn’t love Christmas too. Please join us and share our passion for all things Winchester and help us have a very #MerryBIDmas”.

Amy, Marketing and Communications Officer at the BID added “We are very excited to deliver shopping inspiration to the people of Winchester through this series of short videos. We want to highlight the amazing variety of independent and quirky businesses in the city, as well as making Christmas shopping easier for those involved”.

Look out for #MerryBIDmas hitting your Facebook and Twitter feeds from December and be sure to follow both Windependents and Winchester BID on social media to be kept in the loop.

Note: if you are a Winchester city centre business and would like to take part and show Winchester what’s on offer this Christmas, please contact amy.sheppard@winchesterbid.co.uk